

The online application went live on USAJobs on March 2, and it will be open through March 31. Fair warning, the competition will be tough: The last time NASA opened its astronaut applications to the public, it selected just 12 people out of 18,300 candidates. After about a year of this, NASA will announce its final hiring decisions sometime in mid-2021. If they make it through the initial round, potential astronauts will be asked to pass a NASA long-duration spaceflight physical, undergo a psychiatric examination, and be assessed on their leadership and problem-solving skills. Meeting these standards is just the first hurdle candidates must clear.
#NASA CAREERS ASTRONAUT QUALIFICATIONS PROFESSIONAL#
For people with degrees in STEM or flight testing, NASA is looking for at least two years of professional work, and for pilots, it wants at least 1000 hours command-piloting high-performance aircraft. program, completion of a doctor of medicine degree, or completion of a nationally or internationally recognized test pilot school program (for this last one, a bachelor's degree in STEM may also be required).Ĭandidates should also have real-world experience beyond their academic career. Exceptions can be made for people who lack a master's degree but can show two years of work toward a STEM Ph.D. Candidates should carry a master's degree in a discipline of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. NASA asks anyone interested in becoming an astronaut to make sure they meet the basic qualifications before they apply. To land the prestigious gig, candidates must first complete a painstaking application process. As reports, the space agency recently posted an ad seeking astronauts on USAJobs, and anyone can apply-as long as you meet the basic requirements.Īstronauts make between $104,898 to $161,141 a year performing such duties as conducting operations on the International Space Station and testing new spacecraft. Applicants must be able to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, which requires 20/20 correctable vision, a satisfactory blood pressure reading, and a standing height requirement of 62 to 75 inches.If you hold a master's degree in a STEM field, are comfortable with tight spaces, and need a new job, NASA has an opportunity for you. K-12 teachers, as well as women and qualified minorities, are especially encouraged to apply. Your flying experience should come in the form of at least 1,000 hours of jet experience as a commanding pilot.įor those without flying experience, the Bachelor's degree component must be followed by at least 3 years of related professional experience. Although advanced degrees aren't required, they will make you more competitive in the selection process. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration reports that piloting candidates wishing to be considered for the space program should earn a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. NASA is currently searching for candidates with and without piloting experience to make contributions to such projects as the International Space Station and the Constellation Program.

Also, candidates seeking selection should fill out an interest application linked to the NASA web site. Once in college, you should consider earning a degree in technology, psychology, nursing, exercise physiology, social science, or aviation. A landing site is a location within those regions with.

Each region is approximately 9.3 by 9.3 miles (15 by 15 kilometers). Also, courses in communications, mathematics, and social studies are particularly useful. Rendering of 13 candidate landing regions for NASAs Artemis 3 mission. Students are encouraged to take courses in the natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Many current and former astronauts will tell you that their interest and preparation for this career began in high school. And your countdown to this profession begins with a formal education from an accredited college or university.

Astronauts perform complex space maneuvers, data collection, and research activities. However, when you complete your astronaut career requirements, that rule no longer applies. Astronauts are expected to stay with NASA for at least five years after their selection (military personnel are detailed to NASA for a selected period of time). In most career fields, the sky is the limit.
